A French member of the Karachi Accueil (left) cuts a slice of the home-made frangipane pie at the bazaar held on Saturday. Another member set up a stall of hand-painted clothes and items with French art on them (right). PHOTO: AYESHA MIR/EXPRESS
It might not be the same as walking along the river Seine with wafts of fresh crepes comes from roadside cafes, but on Saturday afternoon, the Alliance Française wore the look of a French garden where Karachiites flocked for soft French cheese and apple tarte Tatin.
Organised by the Karachi Accueil (French Speaking Women’s Association), the French Bazaar was held to rack up money for different charities.
Apart from the affable women of the association, people running their own business and multiple NGOs had also set up their stalls. “All the people bought space for the stalls and the money will directly go to a good cause,” said Seemi Khan, the president of the Karachi Accueil. “This bazaar was held for the first time in 2012 and this is the second one. The response has been wonderful.”
Irene Akbar, who has been a member of the association since its inception in 1981, told The Express Tribune that the Karachi Accueil was started by a group of French women. “At that time, there were many expatriates. We used to organise visits to historical sites in Karachi and Sindh, gallery outings and more,” said Akbar, while running the stall of delectable French desserts with other members of the association. “Right now there are around 28 members and only a few are expatriates - most of them are French-speaking women from the city.”
Home-made pies, jams, banana bread, cakes, quiche, and a wide variety of cheese and crusty breads at the stall were attracting more and more visitors as Akbar talked. “It is all for a good cause and we make sure that the money serves different people in need of financial assistance.”
Sahyra Qamar Sultan, who has been with the association for 10 years, was selling hand-painted shirts and other items painted with French art.
Global village
Stalls at the bazaar sold items ranging from chunris, baking tools, embroidered quilts and pillows, ethnic jewelry, pottery, paintings and cutlery.
Swiss jewellery designer Elizabeth, who’s been in Karachi for three years, showcased her designs, which she said, were all made by Pakistani craftsmen. “The work they do is absolutely beautiful.”
The Thardeep Rural Development Programme was selling fabric and other items made by craftsmen from Umerkot, Tharparkar and other areas. “We just signed an agreement with the USAID to support 12,000 artisans,” said Madiha Kazi of the programme. “By selling these items, we’re promoting the rural craftsmanship.”
Embroidered shawls and cushions were being sold by INFAQ for Life Foundation who were collecting funds for the Behbud Cricket Club.
With music in the background and chit chat over tea and cakes about which bargains were “an absolute steal”, all in all the bazaar at Alliance Française was the venue to be on a Saturday afternoon.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 27th, 2013.
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